Method and apparatus for delivering hydrogen

Abstract

A system and method for transporting and distributing hydrogen, reducing the risk of hydrogen leakage, maintaining a record of provenance, and measuring and recording its purity level as it flows from source to destination to assure it complies with a predetermined range of values. The system includes a hydrogen delivery line made from metallic or non-metallic pipe that may be placed inside a safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. A sweeper gas or liquid may be injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might escape from the hydrogen delivery line, and one or more sensors may be used to detect and avoid the presence of an unacceptable level of hydrogen, or to stop the flow of hydrogen and remediate the problem well before a safety or environmental risk can occur.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hydrogen distribution system for transporting hydrogen from a hydrogen source to at least one end user location, comprising:
 a hydrogen source in fluid communication with at least one shutoff valve; 
 a hydrogen delivery line configured to carry pressurized hydrogen; 
 at least one inlet in fluid communication with the hydrogen delivery line, said inlet configured to receive hydrogen from the hydrogen source, and at least one outlet allowing withdrawal of some portion or all of said hydrogen at the at least one end user location; 
 a sensor fluidly connected to a sample tap point of said hydrogen source configured to measure the value of the at least one fluid characteristic within a hydrogen sample from said hydrogen source; 
 at least one shutoff valve fluidly coupled to said hydrogen delivery line configured to selectively close and isolate selected sections of said hydrogen delivery line; 
 a monitoring system, in electronic communication with at least one shutoff valve, said monitoring system configured to measure at least one characteristic of said hydrogen within said hydrogen source or said hydrogen delivery line to determine if said hydrogen comports with a predetermined range of values; 
 wherein at least one shutoff valve is configured to selectively open only when the first fluid characteristic of the hydrogen comports with said predetermined range of values. 
 
     
     
       2. The hydrogen distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one flow meter in fluid communication with an inlet, said at least one flow meter configured to measure hydrogen flowing through at least one shutoff value; and 
 a monitoring system, in communication with said at least one flow meter configured to record the quantity of hydrogen flowing through said at least one shutoff valve. 
 
     
     
       3. The hydrogen distribution system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one shutoff valve is configured to selectively close once a predetermined quantity of hydrogen has flowed through said at least one shutoff valve. 
     
     
       4. The hydrogen distribution system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one additional flow meter in fluid communication with said hydrogen delivery line, said flow meter configured to measure the quantity of hydrogen flowing through said hydrogen delivery line outlet; and 
 a monitoring system, in communication with said at least one additional flow meter configured to record the quantity of hydrogen flowing through said hydrogen delivery line outlet. 
 
     
     
       5. The hydrogen distribution system of  claim 4  further comprising a database for recording one or more data elements, optionally accompanied by a date, time and location stamp of such data element entry into said database, said entry identifying information about the person or autonomous collection equipment entering such one or more data elements and/or the basis for such data element. 
     
     
       6. The hydrogen distribution system of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more data elements are selected from the group consisting of: a predetermined range of values for at least one fluid characteristic; the value of at least one fluid characteristic and the identity of the sample to which said value pertains; the identifier of a hydrogen sample and the identity of the sample tap point from which such sample was taken; the identifier of the shutoff valve and the identity of the inlet to the hydrogen delivery line to which such shutoff valve pertains; the identifier of the hydrogen source and the identity of the owner of such hydrogen source; the identifier of a hydrogen source and the identity of the inlet to the hydrogen delivery line through which hydrogen in such hydrogen source flows into said hydrogen delivery line; the identifier of the at least one flow meter and the identity of the inlet to the hydrogen delivery line to which said at least one flow meter pertains; the quantity of hydrogen flowing through the at least one flow meter and the identity of the at least one flow meter to which said inlet pertains; the identifier of the at least one additional flow meter and the identity of the hydrogen delivery line outlet to which said at least one additional flow meter pertains; the quantity of hydrogen flowing through the at least one additional flow meter and the identity of the additional flow meter to which such hydrogen delivery line outlet pertains; and the identifier of the hydrogen delivery line outlet and the identity of the owner of the end use application receiving hydrogen through such outlet. 
     
     
       7. The distribution system of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the production method for the hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source. 
 
     
     
       8. The distribution system of  claim 7 , wherein the hydrogen production method is the electrolysis of water, steam methane reforming, biomass gasification, coal gasification, and/or microbial biomass conversion. 
     
     
       9. The distribution system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the power source for the hydrogen production method. 
 
     
     
       10. The distribution system of  claim 9 , wherein the power source is solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, nuclear, fossil fuel, and/or grid power. 
     
     
       11. The distribution system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the percentage of carbon capture of emissions resulting from the power source used by such production method. 
 
     
     
       12. The distribution system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the percentage of carbon capture of emissions resulting from the production method used for such hydrogen. 
 
     
     
       13. The distribution system of  claim 5 , wherein said data elements are selected from the group consisting of: the production method for the hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source; the percentage for which each such production method is responsible if multiple methods were used in such hydrogen production; the power source for the method used to produce hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source; the percentage for which each such source is responsible if multiple power sources were used in such hydrogen production method; the percentage of carbon capture of emissions occurring from the production method used to produce hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source; and the percentage of carbon capture of emissions occurring from the power source used by the method of producing hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source. 
     
     
       14. The distribution system of  claim 5 , wherein said data elements are selected from the group consisting of: a payment amount to be credited for each unit of hydrogen flowing through an inlet to the hydrogen delivery line; a payment amount to be charged for each unit of hydrogen flowing through an outlet from the hydrogen delivery line; a tax credit amount and the criteria for earning such tax credit; a renewable energy credit amount and the criteria for earning such renewable energy credit; and a subsidy amount and the criteria for earning such subsidy. 
     
     
       15. The distribution system of  claim 14 , wherein two or more data elements in the database are used to calculate a payment made to at least one hydrogen producer. 
     
     
       16. The distribution system of  claim 5 , wherein the database is a public, private, or semi-private blockchain ledger; and the data entry is an update to such blockchain ledger. 
     
     
       17. The distribution system of  claim 14 , wherein two or more data elements in the database are used to calculate a payment charged to at least one end user. 
     
     
       18. The hydrogen distribution system of  claim 14 , wherein two or more data elements in the database are used to calculate a tax credit granted, renewable energy credit earned, or subsidy payment made by a public agency or jurisdictional body. 
     
     
       19. The distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one fluid characteristic is selected from the group consisting of the purity of said hydrogen; the pressure of said hydrogen; the flow rate of said hydrogen, and the temperature of said hydrogen. 
     
     
       20. The distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen delivery line is located inside an existing pipeline or pipeline right of way. 
     
     
       21. The distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a safety pipe surrounding the hydrogen delivery line such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of said safety pipe; 
 a source that is fluidly coupled with the channel, the source providing a sweeper gas or liquid for use in the system. 
 
     
     
       22. The hydrogen distribution system of  claim 21 , wherein at least one shutoff valve is configured to selectively close and isolate the hydrogen delivery line around a pre-determined length of said hydrogen delivery line. 
     
     
       23. The distribution system of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 at least one sensor in fluid communication with the channel, said sensor configured to detect the presence of hydrogen; 
 a controller operable to generate a signal based on input from the at least one sensor; the at least one shutoff valve operable by the controller; and 
 the distribution system configured to close and isolate the hydrogen delivery line around a pre-determined length of said hydrogen delivery line when the concentration of hydrogen in the channel reaches a predetermined level relative to the sweeper gas or liquid. 
 
     
     
       24. The hydrogen distribution system of  claim 21 , wherein said fluid coupling of the source with the channel enables the sweeper gas or liquid to surround the hydrogen delivery line. 
     
     
       25. The distribution system of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 at least one sensor in fluid communication with the channel, said sensor configured to detect the presence of hydrogen; 
 a controller operable to generate a signal based on input from the at least one sensor; a first valve in fluid communication with the source and channel, the first valve operable by the controller to enable the channel to receive the sweeper gas or liquid from said source; and 
 the distribution system configured to purge the channel before the concentration of hydrogen reaches a predetermined level relative to the sweeper gas or liquid. 
 
     
     
       26. The distribution system of  claim 21 , wherein the hydrogen delivery line is selected from the group consisting of: FRP spooled pipe, jointed composite pipe, non-metallic pipe, steel pipe and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       27. The distribution system of  claim 21 , wherein the hydrogen delivery line and the safety pipe are positioned within one or more of the following existing pipelines: a water pipeline; a sewer line; a storm drain; an oil or gas pipeline; a utility corridor; or a tube. 
     
     
       28. The distribution system of  claim 21 , wherein the hydrogen delivery line and the safety pipe are buried in or located on, under, or adjacent to a right-of-way for one or more of the following: a water pipeline; a sewer line; a storm drain; an oil or gas pipeline; a utility corridor or easement; a public street or highway, a rail line, or a tube. 
     
     
       29. A method of transporting hydrogen from a hydrogen source to at least one end user location, comprising the steps of:
 providing a pressurized hydrogen delivery line; 
 configuring at least one inlet valve in fluid communication with the hydrogen delivery line, wherein said inlet receives hydrogen from a hydrogen source; 
 configuring at least one outlet in fluid communication with the hydrogen delivery line allowing withdrawal of said hydrogen at the at least one end user location; 
 configuring the hydrogen source to be in fluid communication with at least one shutoff valve; 
 fluidly connecting a sensor to a sample tap point of said hydrogen source, wherein said sensor is configured to measure the value of the at least one fluid characteristic within a hydrogen sample from said hydrogen source; 
 configuring the at least one shutoff valve in fluid communication with said hydrogen delivery line, wherein said shutoff value is configured to selectively close and isolate selected sections of said hydrogen delivery line; 
 monitoring at least one shutoff valve to measure at least one characteristic of said hydrogen within said hydrogen source or said hydrogen delivery line to determine if said hydrogen comports with a predetermined range of values; 
 selectively opening at least one shutoff valve when said first fluid characteristic comports with a selected predetermined range of values for said at least one fluid characteristic. 
 
     
     
       30. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 29 , further comprising the additional steps of:
 configuring at least one flow meter in fluid communication with said at least one shutoff valve; 
 measuring hydrogen flowing through said at least one shutoff value; monitoring at least one flow meter; and 
 recording quantity of hydrogen flowing through said at least one shutoff valve. 
 
     
     
       31. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 30 , wherein at least one shutoff valve is configured to selectively close once a predetermined quantity of hydrogen has flowed through said at least one shutoff valve. 
     
     
       32. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 31 , further comprising the additional steps of:
 providing at least one additional flow meter in fluid communication with said hydrogen delivery line, said additional flow meter configured to measure the quantity of hydrogen flowing through said hydrogen delivery line outlet; and 
 monitoring at least one additional flow meter configured to record the quantity of hydrogen flowing through said hydrogen delivery line outlet. 
 
     
     
       33. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 32  further comprising the additional steps of:
 creating a database for recording one or more data elements, wherein said data elements are optionally accompanied by a date, time and location stamp of such data element entry into said database, said entry identifying information about the person or autonomous collection equipment entering such one or more data elements and/or the basis for such data element. 
 
     
     
       34. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 33 , wherein the one or more data elements are selected from the group consisting of:
 a predetermined range of values for at least one fluid characteristic; 
 the value of at least one fluid characteristic and the identity of the sample to which said value pertains; the identifier of a hydrogen sample and the identity of the sample tap point from which such sample was taken; 
 the identifier of the shutoff valve and the identity of the inlet to the hydrogen delivery line to which such shutoff valve pertains; 
 the identifier of the hydrogen source and the identity of the owner of such hydrogen source; 
 the identifier of a hydrogen source and the identity of the inlet to the hydrogen delivery line through which hydrogen in such hydrogen source flows into said hydrogen delivery line; 
 the identifier of the at least one flow meter and the identity of the inlet to the hydrogen delivery line to which said at least one flow meter pertains; 
 the quantity of hydrogen flowing through the at least one flow meter and the identity of the at least one flow meter to which said inlet pertains; the identifier of the at least one additional flow meter and the identity of the hydrogen delivery line outlet to which said at least one additional flow meter pertains; 
 the quantity of hydrogen flowing through the at least one additional flow meter and the identity of the additional flow meter to which such hydrogen delivery line outlet pertains; and 
 the identifier of the hydrogen delivery line outlet and the identity of the owner of the end use application receiving hydrogen through such outlet. 
 
     
     
       35. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 33  further comprising the additional step of:
 providing a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the production method for the hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source. 
 
     
     
       36. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 35 , wherein the hydrogen production method is the electrolysis of water, steam methane reforming, biomass gasification, coal gasification, and/or microbial biomass conversion. 
     
     
       37. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 35 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the power source for the hydrogen production method. 
 
     
     
       38. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  37 , wherein the power source is solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, nuclear, fossil fuel, and/or grid power. 
     
     
       39. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 37 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the percentage of carbon capture of emissions resulting from the power source used by such production method. 
 
     
     
       40. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 35 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the percentage of carbon capture of emissions resulting from the production method used for such hydrogen. 
 
     
     
       41. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  33 , wherein said data elements are selected from the group consisting of: the production method for the hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source; the percentage for which each such production method is responsible if multiple methods were used in such hydrogen production; the power source for the method used to produce hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source; the percentage for which each such source is responsible if multiple power sources were used in such hydrogen production method; the percentage of carbon capture of emissions occurring from the production method used to produce hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source; and the percentage of carbon capture of emissions occurring from the power source used by the method of producing hydrogen contained in a hydrogen source. 
     
     
       42. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 29 , wherein at least one fluid characteristic is selected from the group consisting of the purity of said hydrogen; the pressure of said hydrogen; the flow rate of said hydrogen, and the temperature of said hydrogen. 
     
     
       43. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  29 , further comprising the additional steps of:
 providing a safety pipe surrounding the hydrogen delivery line such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of said safety pipe; 
 providing a source that is fluidly coupled with the channel, the source providing a sweeper gas or liquid for use in the system. 
 
     
     
       44. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  claim 43 , wherein said fluid coupling of the source with the channel enables the sweeper gas or liquid to surround the hydrogen delivery line. 
     
     
       45. The method of transporting hydrogen according to  44 , further comprising the additional steps of:
 providing at least one sensor in fluid communication with the channel, said sensor configured to detect the presence of hydrogen; 
 configuring a controller operable to generate a signal based on input from the at least one sensor; 
 providing a first valve in fluid communication with the source and channel, the first valve operable by the controller to enable the channel to receive the sweeper gas or liquid from said source to purge the channel before a concentration of hydrogen reaches a predetermined level relative to the sweeper gas or liquid.